150 
ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS. 
[chap, re¬ 
consideration should be bestowed upon saddles and 
packs. The facility of loading is all important, and I 
now had an exemplification of its effect upon both 
animals and men ; the latter began to abuse the camels 
and to curse the father of this, and the mother of that, 
because- they had the trouble of unloading them for 
the descent into the rivers bed, while the donkeys 
were blessed with the endearing name of “ my brother,” 
and alternately whacked with the stick. It was rather 
a bad commencement of a forced march, and the ravine 
we had crossed had been a cause of serious delay. 
Hardly were the animals re-loaded and again ready for 
the march, when the men remembered that they had 
only one water skin full. I had given orders before 
the start from Belignan that all should be filled, This 
is the unexceptional rule in African travelling—fill 
your girbas before starting.” Never mind what the 
natives may tell you concerning the existence of 
water on the road; believe nothing; but resolutely 
determine to fill the girbas;—should you find 
water, there is no harm done if you are already 
provided : but nothing can exceed the improvidence 
of the people. To avoid the trouble of filling the 
girbas before starting, the men will content them¬ 
selves with “ Inshallah ” (please God) we shall find 
water on the road, and they frequently endure the 
